Petr Jiracek’s goal sends Czech Republic through and Poland out

Petr Jiracek’s second-half goal clinched a 1-0 win that sent the Czech Republic into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 and Poland out of the tournament.

The decisive moment in Wroclaw came in the 72nd minute when Milan Baros broke into the box and laid the ball off to Jiracek, who cut inside the full-back and slotted the ball beyond the keeper.

Petr Jiracek’s goal sent Czech Republic into the last eight (AFP/Getty Images)

Poland began the game needing a win to make the last eight, but rarely looked capable of securing it and ended the night bottom of Group A.

The co-hosts started strongly and Dariusz Dudka was just wide with a spectacular effort in the second minute.

Robert Lewandowski squandered a great chance when he sent a shot past the post in the tenth minute, before Sebastian Boenisch forced Petr Cech into a smart low save.

Czech Republic, who began the night thinking a draw may be enough, offered little as an attacking force before the break and when they did get forward, Vaclav Pilar mis-kicked in front of goal.

Things changed once the Czechs learned Greece were 1-0 up against Russia at half-time in the other game, meaning they had to win to make the last eight.

Michal Bilek’s team were immediately transformed into an adventurous unit and David Limbersky fired wide at the end of a winding run, before Poland goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton did brilliantly to keep a Tomas Sivok header out.

The Czechs finally broke the deadlock through Jiracek with 18 minutes to play, and rarely looked like losing their lead.

A draw would not have been enough for Poland, but they kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser – and almost found it in the final minute of stoppage-time, but Michal Kadlec headed Jakub BÅaszczykowski’s shot off the line to ensure the Czechs went through as group winners.